Southland lawmaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, was selected Thursday to be the next Assembly Speaker.
The Assembly Democratic Caucus chose Rendon to succeed Toni Atkins, D- San Diego, when she’s termed out of office next year.
An official Assembly vote is scheduled for January, with the leadership change to take place at an as-yet undetermined date, following a transition period.
“The caucus has made an excellent choice, and I’m delighted to see everyone uniting behind Assemblymember Rendon,” Atkins said. “I know he will find the job as rewarding and challenging as I do.”
Rendon said he was “deeply honored to have the support of his colleagues.”
“The Assembly remains focused on doing the people’s work over the last week of this legislative session and finding solutions to the challenges Californians face every day,” he said. “I thank Speaker Toni Atkins for her incredible grace in leading this house and continuing California’s role at the forefront of the nation and the world.”
Atkins, a former member of the San Diego City Council, was elected speaker in March 2014 and assumed the position two months later.
Rendon, who chairs the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee, is serving his second term representing the 63rd District, which includes Bell, Cudahy, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, North Long Beach, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount and South Gate.
Prior to serving in the Assembly, he was an educator, nonprofit executive director and environmental activist.
— City News Service